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2011 NFL Draft: Top D2 and D3 Prospects

January 9, 2011
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It's usually pretty rare that a Division II or Division III prospect gets a legitimate shot at an NFL roster and only three to five get drafted every year.

However, this season, we could have at least five prospects drafted from below the Division I (both FBS and FCS) level. The feature position this year, as is customary, is wide receiver, where three have a chance to be taken in the first five rounds. Also, the offensive line is a key position to watch, as a few athletic left tackles moving to guard have a chance to get drafted and stick in the NFL.

Division II Prospects

NamePosCollegeProj. Round

1
.
Edmund Gates
-
WR
-
Abilene Christian
-
3rd-5th

2
.
Stephen Burton
-
WR
-
West Texas A&M
-
5th-7th

3
.
Brandon Fusco
-
C
-
Slippery Rock
-
5th-7th

4
.
Ryan Jones
-
CB
-
NW Missouri State
-
5th-7th

5
.
David Mims
-
OT
-
Virginia Union
-
6th-Undrafted

6
.
Ricardo Lockette
-
WR
-
Fort Valley State
-
6th-Undrafted

7
.
Trevis Turner
-
OG
-
Abilene Christian
-
6th-Undrafted

8
.
OJ Murdock
-
WR
-
Fort Hays State
-
6th-Undrafted

9
.
Xavier Brown
-
DE
-
CW Post
-
6th-Undrafted

10
.
Josh Portis
-
QB
-
California (PA)
-
6th-Undrafted

Division III Prospects

NamePosCollegeProj. Round

1
.
Cecil Shorts
-
WR
-
Mount Union
-
5th-7th

2
.
ZaVious Robins
-
WR
-
Harden-Simmonds
-
7th-Undrafted

3
.
Eric Hedin
-
DE
-
Linefield
-
6th-Undrafted

4
.
Harry Melendez
-
CB
-
Trinity (CT)
-
7th-Undrafted

5
.
Chris Coney
-
RB
-
Union
-
7th-Undrafted

Division II, Division III Notes:

-Edmund Gates and Cecil Shorts are as high as a Top 10 receiver on some boards, showing how much some scouts like him. While I don't seem them as that type of prospect, I plan on reviewing those guys to see how impressive they are. But, both are mid to late round picks in the draft as of now.

-Stephen Burton, Brandon Fusco, and Ryan Jones are very draftable as of now, and I think all three could be starters (including slot receivers and nickel cornerbacks) in the NFL in the right system.

-ZaVious Robins is one of the most productive receivers in the country this year, and probably could have played Division 1 out of high school. A high character, hard-working, very intelligent receiver, he could get a shot in the NFL.

-Two sleepers I like a lot are Xavier Brown from CW Post and Eric Hedin from Linfield. Both are defensive ends, both were very productive, and both could be great special teamers to start and situational pass rushers in a 4-3 or, better suited for the, 3-4 defense.